Battleship USS Texas Returns to the Water After Months of Drystock Restoration

The historic battleship USS Texas has returned to the water after an extensive restoration effort spanned months of dry-dock work. The vessel, renowned for its pivotal role in both World War I and World War II, has undergone repairs costing over $21 million and lasting 18 months.

The completion of this restoration marks a significant milestone for the 110-year-old battleship. Originally launched over a century ago, the USS Texas has a storied history that spans two world wars.

It has now been refloated and removed from the dry dock in Galveston, Texas, where it underwent repairs since being relocated there in 2022. The decommissioned warship, which serves as a museum, will undergo further restoration before reopening to the public in late 2025.

At Tuesday’s event, Tony Gregory, president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation, expressed optimism about the work that had been done and what was left to do.

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“We feel great,” he said. “It’s been in the dry dock 18 months.”

“It was a major victory to get her here in the dry dock,” Gregory added, referring to the journey from San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site to Galveston, during which there were concerns it might sink, “And this is a result of our hard work and what we’ve been doing for the last 18 months working on the hull.”

Drone footage from Third Coast Drone showed the warship back in the water Tuesday. The goal is to reopen the museum ship to the public by late 2025.

Travis Davis, vice president of ship operations at the Battleship Texas Foundation, outlined plans for the restoration upon the vessel’s relocation to Galveston. Notably, the ship’s superstructure remains under construction, and efforts are ongoing to replace the wooden deck, restore interior spaces, and complete repainting.

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Tony Gregory, president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation, expressed optimism about the progress made during the restoration efforts. He acknowledged the challenges faced during the journey to the dry dock in Galveston but emphasized the dedication and hard work of the team involved.

Once one of the most formidable warships to sail the seas, the USS Texas is significant in naval history. Launched in 1912 as one of a dozen dreadnoughts, it played a crucial role in World War I, patrolling the North Sea and escorting President Woodrow Wilson to France for peace negotiations.

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However, during World War II, the USS Texas truly made its mark, participating in key engagements such as the D-Day invasion and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Following its retirement, the USS Texas transitioned into a museum ship, undergoing initial repairs in 1988. The need for further restoration, particularly in the aged hull, became apparent in recent years.

Completing the latest round of repairs signifies a commitment to preserving this iconic piece of naval history for future generations.

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